2020 Nissan Versa Road Test and Review

2020 Nissan Versa sedan exterior front angle ・ Photo by Nissan

The newly redesigned 2020 Nissan Versa squarely targets the first-time buyer by providing key safety and infotainment features at an affordable price. While sedans aren’t the hot sellers they once were, there are still plenty of people who don’t need an SUV or a crossover. If you’re not toting around a family and all their stuff, then there’s no reason to pay the extra cost for those larger vehicles.

While the subcompact Versa is affordable, it manages not to come off like a bargain-basement choice you don’t want to drive. That’s no small feat given its price point. It has safety and technology features that are surprising in such an affordable choice, and it offers a smooth and comfortable ride for passengers. Let’s take a closer look at the all-new 2020 Nissan Versa to see if it’s the right choice for you.

Three Affordable and Well-Equipped Trims

The Nissan Versa is available in three trims starting with the base S at $14,730 equipped with a manual transmission. If you want an automatic transmission, then the price goes up to $16,400. Both come with standard features that include power windows and door locks, push-button start, a USB port, and a 7.0-inch infotainment touchscreen with streaming Bluetooth, Siri Eyes Free, and a 4-speaker audio system. There’s also standard automatic emergency braking across the Versa lineup.

The SV at $17,640 and SR at $18,240 both have an automatic transmission along with additional standard features. These include heated sideview mirrors, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Sirius XM, a rear door alert, blind-spot monitoring, and a rear cross-traffic alert. They also get upgraded interior materials. The Versa is a value at every trim level. It’s not overloaded with amenities, but instead offers key features that up its appeal without breaking your budget.

Photo by Nissan

An updated design gives it more curb appeal.

Nissan gave the exterior of the Versa an update that makes this entry-level sedan more appealing. While some affordable cars are content to simply look like an average and uninspired choice, the Versa stands out with its fresh, new design. It’s 1.6 inches lower, 1.8 inches wider, and 2.3 inches lower than the outgoing Versa, which gives it a more aggressive and sportier presence. Nissan also adapted its V-motion grille, boomerang-shaped headlamps and tail lamps, and floating roof for the Versa.

Color also plays heavily into the Versa’s new look. There are eight bold exterior choices, including premium metallic paints that give the Versa a more upscale vibe. This is an economy car for those on a budget, but you’d never know it looking at the Versa’s attractive styling. It’s part of the Versa’s no-compromise appeal.

Photo by Nissan

It’s not a horsepower monster, but it’s surprisingly responsive.

There are cars focused on performance with horsepower numbers designed to get your heart racing. The Nissan Versa isn’t one of them. This is an affordable small sedan that puts the focus on practicality rather than performance. That’s not to say it’s no fun to drive. In fact, we found the Versa to be surprisingly responsive.

Power across the lineup comes from a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 122 horsepower and 114 lb-ft of torque. We spent our time in the SV trim with the continuously variable automatic transmission. Merging onto the highway, it had no trouble getting up to speed and did so quietly without any overwrought noise from the engine. Even when we needed extra power for highway passing, the Versa delivered, proving that simply buying an affordable small car doesn’t mean it has to be boring to drive.

Photo by Nissan

A Smooth Ride With a Quiet Interior

The ride in the Nissan Versa is smooth and quiet. All but the harshest bumps and dips in the road are nicely muted, and there’s not too much road or wind noise. There’s standard acoustic laminated windshield glass, which helps to keep the Versa quiet. Even the continuously variable automatic transmission isn’t intrusive. These can sound harsh, and even more so in an economy car where not as much is spent on insulating the cabin from noise. There’s no such problem in the Versa.

It also handles well, even over rough pavement. Steering is light and easy to manage, making it a great choice for commuters. It’s responsive, but don’t expect it to be sporty. The Versa is relaxed and easygoing without asking too much of the driver.

Photo by Nissan

Fuel Economy That's Easy on Your Wallet

The Versa comes with an affordable price and continues to be affordable with its fuel economy. Any rise in gas prices will be easier to manage, and those piling miles during the morning commute will find the Versa easy on their wallets. Equipped with the manual transmission, it gets an EPA-estimated 27 mpg in the city, 35 mpg on the highway, and 30 mpg combined.

Those are good numbers, but you’ll do better with the automatic. It gets an EPA-estimated 32 mpg in the city, 40 mpg on the highway, and 35 mpg combined. While the initial cost of the base trim with the manual transmission is less, you will end up spending more on gas. Depending on how much you drive, it may be a better investment to go with the automatic transmission and save on gas over the long run. Either way, fuel costs won’t destroy your budget.

Photo by Nissan

Key Standard and Available Safety Features

The 2020 Nissan Versa has not yet been crash-tested by either the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Absent those crash tests, the Versa still comes with both standard and available safety features to set your mind at ease. Most notably, every Versa is equipped with forward automatic emergency braking, even the base trim, as well as a lane-departure warning and rear automatic braking.

Both the SV and SR have additional standard safety including an intelligent driver alert, rear door alert, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. While it doesn’t come with the extensive list of advanced safety found in more expensive cars, the Versa instead incorporates a small selection of key safety features. This offers the safety you want without compromise at an affordable price point.

Photo by Nissan

There’s a standard 7.0-touchscreen, even on the base trim.

It’s not uncommon to find mediocre infotainment systems in affordable cars, but the Nissan Versa avoids this problem. It comes standard with a 7.0-inch touchscreen even on the base trim, so there’s no fiddling with a tiny screen that’s difficult and distracting to use. Three’s also streaming Bluetooth audio, Siri Eyes Free, and AM/FM radio with a four-speaker audio system.

Step up to the SV trim and there’s also NissanConnect with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for quick and easy smartphone connectivity, along with SiriusXM satellite radio. Finally, sitting at the top of the lineup, the SR gets an upgraded six-speaker audio system. It’s not the most fully featured system available, but once again the Versa delivers the features buyers want most with a standard 7.0-inch touchscreen and smartphone connectivity on all but the base trim.

Photo by Nissan

Room for Five in a Comfortable Interior

There’s room for five in the Nissan Versa with spacious front seats that easily accommodate even tall adults. Seating is supportive and almost a little stiff with moderate bolstering. There’s no option for leather, so instead you get increasingly upgraded cloth surfaces as you move up through the trim range. The cloth seats on the SV we drove, which is the mid-range trim, were attractive and comfortable.

Front seats are manually adjustable, which can make it a little challenging to get the right seating position, but after a bit of trial and error, you’ll find the right angle. The rear seats are fixed in the S but are 60/40 split for the rest of the lineup, which offers a bit more flexibility for cargo. The rear seat has room for three, but it’s snug for more than two or if the front seats are pushed too far back.

Photo by Nissan

Final Thoughts

The redesigned Versa elevates the idea of an economy sedan, which was once thought of as boring, mediocre vehicles that got you from point A to point B and nothing more. Instead, the Versa has the features you want all at a price you can afford. There’s standard safety including automatic emergency braking and a solid infotainment system with a 7.0-inch touchscreen even on the base trim.

Pricing stays well under $20,000 even for the most well-equipped Versa, and its affordability continues with good fuel economy. Add in a responsive engine, good handling, and a comfortable interior, and you have an affordable, entry-level sedan that looks and drives like a more expensive option. The 2020 Nissan Versa is a value-oriented sedan that won’t make you feel like you had to make a sacrifice to get a new car.

Photo by Nissan